‘Second chance’

#BeInspired by Laguna’s helps Los Baños father

new breed of entrepreneurs turn things around

Rizal and all the girls

he loved before

Measles crisis:
Deaths mount
as vaccine
phobia spreads
Dismal immunization coverage
in San Pedro, other cities and towns

The failed romances of

Maria Makiling

Alden Richards plans

ahead, finds time alone

LN_v1n3.indd 1 12/02/2019 7:53 AM

 2 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 3

Delinquent as a boy, ‘second chance’ helps

Los Baños father turn things around
In the ‘90s, Melandro del Mundo and his brothers were caught by the UPLB police for stealing money from a jeepney
driver. They got off easy and Melan used that luck to mend his ways. If legislators have their way, today’s children in
conflict with the law would not be as fortunate. By KIMMY BARAOIDAN
be as fortunate. tournament. “Doon nga lumakas ‘yung re-
Just recently, House Bill 8858, which sistensya ko. Nawala ‘yung asthma ko,” he
seeks to lower the minimum age of crimi- said. When he grew older, Melan joined a
nal responsibility from 15 to 12, was ap- fraternity. However, he only managed to
proved on its final reading at the House reach second-year college. “Napa-stop na
of Representatives. Senators are deliber- rin ako. Nagka-trophy eh — nagka-baby
ating on their version of the bill, which, na ‘ko,” he said, chuckling.
by all indication, will pass soon. Under According to data from the United Na-
the proposals, children who are at least tions International Children’s Emergency
12 years old and in conflict with the law Fund (Unicef), eight out of 10 children in
can now be sent to a juvenile facility. On conflict with the law will commit only one
the other hand, children who commit- offense in their lifetime. These children, if
ted offenses that do not incur penalties if kept out of jails, have higher chances of
committed by adults — like curfew viola- reforming and becoming productive than
tions, mendicancy, or truancy — will not detained juvenile offenders.
be penalized but instead be brought to “In psychology, we have this thing
their homes or to the barangay hall and called the self-fulfilling prophecy. So if
shall be subjected to an intervention pro- very early on you are labeled as bad, as
gram. They will be registered as “children criminal, there is a great chance that you
at risk” and not “children in conflict with will become what was predicted of you,”
the law.” Those who commit more seri- Dr. Dy. “If you keep hearing it again and
Melandro del Mundo’s encounter with the law would have ended differently if he was not given ous offenses like homicide, kidnapping or again in your head and people keep tell-
a second chance. (Photo by Chris Quintana) even carnapping will be remanded to so- ing these things about you, you will most
called “reformatory facilities” that critics likely believe it as a young child. It’s like
LOS BAÑOS — Anyone who went to gay Tuntungin. He went to a public school of the proposals say are veritable deten- removing the hope that they can change
high school or college in this town dur- but stopped for a year. When he was loi- tion facilities. for the better.”
ing the ‘90s, particularly at the Univer- tering on campus, he would ask for mon- The bill, which originally sought to low- Dr. Dy said adult guidance is key to
sity of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) ey or run errands for college students in er the minimum age of criminal responsi- dealing with children in conflict with the
and schools within and near the campus, exchange for cash, food, or drinks. Most bility to nine, was met with strong opposi- law, adding that it’s the family that should
would remember a dark, skinny, dimpled people found him friendly and always tion from human rights groups, experts, guide the children and teach them what is
boy with a silly smile. He roamed the able to carry a smile. and many from the general public. The ar- right and what is expected of them.
campus and nearby streets, together with When Melan was around 12 or 13 years gument is that children around the age of Melan is fortunate compared to his
friends who sometimes caused mischief old, he and a few of his younger brothers nine do not have proper discernment yet. childhood peers like a certain Jepoy,
but oftentimes just asked for money. were apprehended by the UPF for steal- “Their brains are still developing. The whom he said broke into homes. Jepoy
Melandro del Mundo, or Melan to his ing 500 pesos from the wallet of a jeepney parts of the brain which are needed to died in 2001 from drowning but Melan
peers and to those whom he befriended, driver, money they spent on medicine for control their impulses are not yet in place. said people thought otherwise, their opin-
was not only a familiar face to students on their asthmatic mother. They were on And then given that they’re very young, ion of the boy perhaps formed by their
campus but to the University Police Force their way home when they were taken to they are easy to influence. The likelihood bias against him because of his errant
(UPF) as well. the UPF headquarters; the campus police that they would be pressured by peers and ways. “‘Yung iba naman nagsabi tinumba
During his youth, Melan was a juvenile booked them, had their photographs tak- by other adults is higher,” explained Dr. na dahil malikot nga ang kamay,” Melan
delinquent — the same profile of children en. The jeepney driver was more forgiv- Marison R. Dy, a professor of human and said.
who, according to Republic Act No. 9344 ing: he chose not to file a complaint after family development at the College of Hu- Now a family man at 36, Melan works
or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of learning that the boys used the money for man Ecology at UPLB. as an office messenger in Quezon City
2006, are “vulnerable to and at the risk their mother’s illness. All he wanted was Melan echoes the same sentiment. “Pa- and spends time with his wife and kids
of committing criminal offenses because for them to return what was left of the rang hindi naman siguro tama ‘yon kasi in this town on the weekends. “Ngayon
of personal, family and social circum- money. Melan and his brothers were let siyempre bata ka eh, yung kakulitan mo... iba na, ‘di tulad ng dati na pa-easy-easy,
stances.” go shortly after. saka mo lang malalaman ‘yon pag may kasi may pamilya ka na eh. Wala na yung
Fourth among 12 siblings, Melan and Unlike many children who run in con- isip ka na,” he told Laguna Now. mga tambay-tambay, inaabot ng umaga.
his family were not that well off. His par- flict with the law, the del Mundo boys Melan was not subjected to any inter- Ngayon iisipin mo na yung babayaran
ents sold fruits for a living, which they were lucky that day. But if legislators have vention programs but he eventually joined mo, mga gastos mo,” he said, flashing the
sourced from their community in Baran- their way today, kids like them would not a soccer group and competed at a local same silly smile. L

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 February 14 - 20, 2019 LagunaNow 3

Laguna ‘tigdas’ crisis: Deaths mount

as vaccine phobia spreads
Officials say fear caused by Dengvaxia, misinformation, and lack of health literacy among Lagunenses are driving the
dismal immunization coverage in many parts of the province. By LEOBEL COLONA, MARI SANTILLES and NEAL ANDREI LALUSIN
is easier said than more dismal: 51.92 percent
done. in 2016, increasing to 54.97
Documents from in 2017 but dropping to 47.11
the PHO acquired in 2018. Province-wide, the
by Laguna Now in- total MMR coverage stood
dicate a drop in the at 58.26 percent in 2016, in-
MMR vaccination creasing to 61.14 percent in
coverage in the last 2017, but dropping to 56.07
three years. Officials last year.
and experts blamed While these figures are not
the phobia generat- too far off from those in oth-
ed by the Dengvaxia er provinces, these are way
controversy as a key below the coverage target
reason for the de- of the national government,
cline. MMR is the which is between 85 and 90
most commonly percent. shots. There may have been a few stub-
used vaccine against MMR and other vaccines are adminis- born ones — especially those who have
measles, mumps, tered on nearly 88,000 members of the many children — but that was it,” Esquejo
and rubella. It is “eligible population,” mostly children, said. “Since Dengvaxia, people became a
generally accepted which is 2.7 percent of the province’s total bit skeptical.”
A child gets a vaccine shot at the health center of Barangay Don as safe if adminis- population of 3.2 million.
Jose, Santa Rosa City. (Photos by Dek Fernandez) Yumie La Torre, a nurse at the City
tered properly.
Dengvaxia scandal Health Office (CHO) of Cabuyao City, said
San Pedro City
SANTA ROSA CITY — The measles had the lowest MMR vaccination cover- Health officials and experts attributed parents were afraid to get their children
outbreak in Laguna province was a trag- age among the six cities of Laguna, the the decrease in vaccination coverage to vaccinated. “Most of the parents here
edy waiting to happen as parents failed records show. In 2016, only 43.67 percent the fear spread by the Dengvaxia contro- nowadays do not believe the Department
to immunize their children because of of the 9,002 San Pedro residents eligible versy, which erupted in November 2017 of Health programs especially when it
the hysteria surrounding the Dengvaxia for the MMR vaccine were given the shot. after the DOH stopped using the dengue comes to vaccination,” she said. “They are
fiasco. Health workers tried desperately The percentage decreased slightly the vaccine. Its manufacturer, the French afraid that their children might fall ill, as
to assuage this fear, with limited success. next year, to 43.33 percent, but dropped pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, what they saw with Dengvaxia.”
As a result, the crisis has eclipsed last to 36.62 percent in 2018. disclosed that Dengvaxia posed risks to These assessments were echoed by Dr.
year’s number of casualties. As of Febru- Among the Laguna towns, Bay had the people who had not been infected with the Christina Marquez, a pediatrician at the
ary 10, Laguna had 167 cases of measles. worst vaccination coverage. It was the dengue virus. Subsequent claims by offi- private Santo Tomas General Hospital
At least five have died — three from Biñan, only town in the Top 3 with the lowest cials blamed Dengvaxia for the deaths of in Batangas who told Laguna Now that
one from San Pedro, and another from rate in those three years: 39.49 percent several people — claims that heightened there has been a “noticeable decline” in
Santa Rosa. Only 10 cases were recorded in 2016, up 41 percent in 2017, then down the fear against vaccines in general. parents vaccinating their children due to
in the province last year, with zero death. to 36.06 in 2018. Calauan had the lowest Adelona Esquejo, a barangay health the Dengvaxia scare. She said their fear
Laguna health officials, however, insist coverage in any of those three years, at worker in Barangay Pooc, Santa Rosa overcomes the desire to immunize their
that the province is still in what they call 28.67 in 2016, followed by Luisiana with City, told Laguna Now that getting chil- children even though they had vaccinated
a “safe zone,” the cases and deaths not- 29.78 percent, also in 2016. dren vaccinated has been difficult because their older children before. She cited the
withstanding. “Measles is always around. The total MMR coverage of the six cities of the Dengvaxia scare. “We would ex- case of a grandmother who brought her
There is no reason to fear it. The only logi- fluctuated: 61.24 percent in 2016, going plain over and over again the importance one-year-old grandson to the clinic after
cal thing to do is to get vaccinated,” said up to 64.14 in 2017, but dropping to 60.43 of vaccines and the legitimacy of MMR being infected with the measles virus. “I
Dr. Rene P. Bagamasbad, chief of the Pro- percent in 2018, the year the Dengvaxia and other vaccines,” she said. asked her why didn’t she have the boy
vincial Health Office (PHO). controversy was at its height. “Before the scare, we had no problems vaccinated and she told me that it was be-
But as records from the PHO show, that The total coverage of the 24 towns was making them come to the center for their cause of the news about Dengvaxia,” Dr.
Marquez said. “So there was fear and it
had a big effect.”
Lack of information hobbles immunization program Or, as La Torre put it, “some parents
now are being blinded” by this fear. L
AS a result of the measles outbreak, are also ongoing. The CHO in Cabuyao, as two, Bagamasbad said. These vac-
health workers are now working harder in response to the measles outbreak, now cines are always available in public Laguna cities and their
to try to reach more children and more plans a vast investigation and assessment health centers and rural health offices
communities, including those who have of the crisis. “We are giving Supplemental in every city and municipality of the MMR coverage in 2018
been administered the Dengvaxia. “We Immunization Activity (SIA) for Cabuyao province, he emphasized, although he (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018)
should not wait for our children to fall ill children who do not have complete vac- admitted that there is still the challenge San Pedro 36.62%
before we decide to get them vaccinated,” cines,” La Torre said. of reaching distant communities. San Pablo 56.49%
said Yumie La Torre, a nurse at the City According to Provincial Health Office Low health literacy among Lagu- Santa Rosa 63.91%
Health Office (CHO) of Cabuyao City. head Dr. Rene Bagamasbad, the prov- nenses is a problem, he admitted. In Cabuyao 65.29%
The DOH and the CHO surveillance ince is still in what he called “preventive most cases, especially in the poorer ar- Biñan 66.20%
team conduct regular monitoring and stage” because of the government’s ef- eas, vaccines and their importance are Calamba 69.56%
providing medical assistance to children forts to vaccinate. “Ever since the vaccine not thoroughly explained. “As much as
who had been vaccinated by Dengvaxia. became available, the PHO ensured that possible, we explain to the people the 6 Laguna towns and their
There is also a mandated “Dengue Ex- it will be available to the public through importance of vaccines but there are MMR coverage in 2018
press Lane” in hospitals that will assist rural health offices,” he said. Bagamasbad people who would rather not bring their (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018)
these children. Dengue kits are also giv- encouraged local government units to ap- children,” he said.
en for free. This includes insect repel- proach subdivisions and communities with Misinformation and the widespread Famy 35.34%
lant, medicines for fever, a thermom- basic health literacy and offer vaccines. paranoia concerning Dengvaxia didn’t Bay 36.06%
eter, oresol, and soap for protection. But the percentage of the vaccinated help. “Prevention will always be bet- Santa Maria 41.32%
“For now, we are doing campaigns population remains low despite the prov- ter than cure,” he said. “Educating the Majayjay 42.95%
to inform and convince parents to vac- ince’s compliance with the National Im- people about vaccines and health in Cavinti 43.08%
cinate their children,” La Torre said. munization Program that requires the general can really go a long way.” (Leo- Calauan 43.20%
School-based immunization campaigns complete vaccination of a child as young bel Colona) L
Source: Provincial Health Office

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 4 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 3

Jose Rizal and all the

girls he loved before
By MARI SANTILLES cha Leyva’s house in Intramuros, Manila. followed his parents’ orders as
Rizal would often give Orang love letters he was still living in with them

M
but because the elders frowned upon ro- at the time.
an of dignity and bravery. That’s
mance at such young age, Rizal would Meanwhile, Noli Me Tan-
how most Filipinos regard Jose
write those letters surreptitiously, even gere earned the wrath of Rizal’s
Rizal, the Philippine national
using an invisible ink made of table salt powerful enemies and so, for
hero who was born in Calamba, Laguna,
and water. He taught Orang to read them the second time, Rizal left
in 1861. He was raised in a home filled
by heating the paper over a lamp or a the country against his will.
with humility, respect, and love.
candle. He went to Hong Kong, then
Ah love! moved to Japan in 1888, where
Rizal had lots of it. He was one of those #TOTGA he met a lovely Japanese, Seiko
guys women easily fell in love with. He While Rizal was courting Leonor Usui.
was not too tall and he often described “Orang” Valenzuela, another Leonor was
himself as someone who was not hand- in his mind — Leonor Rivera, his long- #THANKUNEXT
some. As far as physical features went, he time sweetheart for 11 years. Leonor, who After living in Japan for 45
did not see himself anywhere near com- Rizal called Taimis in his letters, was the days, Rizal moved to London.
parable with the Spaniards and Ameri- daughter of the cousin of Rizal’s father. He resided temporarily in the
cans who lived in the country back in the Although blood related, the two carried house of the Becketts. Rizal
1800s. on with their affair even when Leonor’s caught the heart of the Beck-
But “the great Malayan,” as Rizal came mother expressed strong opposition. etts’ eldest daughter Gertrude,
Photo collages by Ayi Conde
to be known, had intellect and charm -- a girl with blue eyes, scarlet
#FRIENDZONED cheeks, and bronze hair. Rizal
and an unstinting belief in love.
Rizal traveled to Madrid in 1882 to called her “Gettie” and Gettie called him Josephine was a spy from Spain. The priest of Dapitan
#PABEBE take further studies. He didn’t tell any- “Pettie.” Gettie would always look at Rizal didn’t give them blessings. Taufer opposed their mar-
Rizal was 16 when he first fell for a girl, one about this, not even his parents and with warmth and affection. riage plans, even threatening to kill himself if that were
Segunda Katigbak. In his diary, Rizal his beloved Leonor because he knew that
#SUMMERBB to happen.
called her “love at first sight.” Segunda’s they won’t allow him. Every Saturday in But Rizal and Josephine were committed; they vowed
family was close with Rizal’s grandmoth- Madrid, he would drop in on Don Pablo In January 1890, Rizal transferred to
eternal love for each other before God even though there
er and Segunda’s brother, Mariano, was Ortiga Y Rey, a former Manila mayor. Brussels, Belgium, where he rented a
were no priest to bless and guide them. Josephine be-
Rizal’s friend. When Rizal and Mariano Rizal, a talented and fine gentleman, cap- small house owned by the Jacoby sisters.
went to visit the old woman in her house There were two things that Rizal loved came pregnant in the early part of 1896 but had a mis-
tured the heart of Consuelo, Don Pablo’s
in Trozo, Manila, he met Segunda, a about this place: the many festivals dur- carriage eight months into her pregnancy. Despite all
daughter. The lady’s beauty so capti-
ing the summer and
his relationship with
Petite Suzanne Ja-
coby, the niece of his
landladies. Just like
the previous women
in Rizal’s life, Petite
fell deeply in love
with him. But Rizal
was still thinking of
Leonor. So he left Bel-
gium and went back
for Madrid.
#REBOUND
Rizal went to Biar-
ritz, a beautiful city
in the French Riviera,
to rest for a while. He
was a guest in Villa
Eliada, the home of
the Bousted family.
There, he met Nellie
All images from www.knightsofrizal.org; The Loves of Rizal and other Essays on Philippine History, Art, and Public
Policy by Pablo Trillana III. Bousted, the younger
daughter. Nellie was
one of the reasons for these misfortune, Rizal and Josephine lived happily as
short young lady with alluring eyes, rosy vated Rizal that he wrote a poem for her husband and wife — a love that lasted through Rizal’s
cheeks and a captivating smile. Segunda, titled “A La Señorita C.O.y.P” (For Miss Rizal’s fight with one of his friends, Anto-
darkest moments
14, was a friend of Rizal’s younger sister, C.O.y.P). However, before their relation- nio Luna, who also had strong romantic until his last dy-
Olympia; both girls had been studying ship grew deeper, Rizal decided to stay feelings for the girl. ing breath in Ba-
in La Concordia College and Rizal would away from her because he was still in love #BAE gumbayan. L
visit his sister every week so he could see with Leonor Rivera. When Rizal was exiled to Dapitan, he
Segunda. The two grew more than just #KAWAII was alone, missing the warmth of a fam-
friends. ily. He knew that he needed someone Reference: Jose
As Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere was roil- Rizal: Life, Works,
#LOWKEY ing the Philippines after its controversial who could fill the void in his heart. It was
and Writing of a
On his second year at the University of publication in 1887, Rizal decided to trav- during those lowest moments that Rizal Genius, Writer, Sci-
Santo Tomas, Rizal met a tall and grace- el back home to Calamba. There, his par- met Josephine Bracken, an 18-year-old entist and National
ful woman named Leonor Valenzuela, ents obstructed him from visiting Leonor Irish girl who had gone to Dapitan with Hero by Gregorio F. Scan the QR code or
from Pagsanjan. Called Orang, she was Rivera because her parents didn’t like his foster dad, George Taufer. It was not Zaide and Sonia M. visit lag.ph/rizalgirls
his neighbor during his stay at Doña Con- to read the full version of this story.
Rizal for their daughter. Reluctantly, he an easy romance. Rizal’s family thought Zaide

LN_v1n3.indd 4 12/02/2019 7:53 AM

 February 14 - 20, 2019 LagunaNow 5

The failed romances of Maria Makiling

The many (tragic, cinematic, lit AF) loves of Maria Makiling, Laguna’s beguiling beauty.

W
ho hasn’t heard of The farmer
Maria Makiling, the Another story took place during
beguiling goddess of the Spanish colonial period. Three
Laguna embodied in myths, leg- men pursued Maria Makiling. One
ends and folklore, told in tales was Captain Lara, a Spanish soldier.
that excited our young imagina- The other was Joselito, a student
tions? These are vivid stories in Manila. Then there was Juan,
a poor and humble farmer. Of the
of pathos and loss that — along
three suitors, Juan captured the
with Maria’s beauty — Laguna maiden’s heart. This infuriated Cap-
folk embraced as a celebration tain Lara and Joselito that they plot-
of the rich diversity of the prov- ted to murder him. They set fire on
ince’s history and culture. the Spanish barracks and blamed it
According to the legend, Maria on Juan. As punishment, Juan was
Makiling was a goddess, a di- executed as an enemy of the Span-
wata, who guarded the mountain ish regime. He called out Maria’s
with all the plants, animals and name just before the bullet pierced
water reserves surrounding it. his heart. Maria was in rage. Em-
She was a deity who people run bracing Juan’s cold, bloodied body,
to for help, especially to prevent she cursed the two men. Soon after,
natural disasters like storms, Katipuneros killed Captain Lara
earthquakes, and volcanic erup- during the revolution while Joselito
tions. died from an incurable illness. In
ges by Ayi Conde She had exquisite and sophis- great sorrow and agony, Maria was
ticated features, a real beauty. Painting by Nemiranda, 1981 never seen again.
iest of Dapitan People admired not just her
physical charms but also her The legend continues
sed their mar- Maria ran off to the woods and lived in the heart. She swore never to love nor trust It is still believed that Maria Makiling
heart that was overflowing with
elf if that were kindness and compassion for both mountains. villagers again. She kept herself away keeps guarding the mountain, which
human and nature — kindness and But that’s just one version of the many from people. In her despair, the trees is now named Mount Makiling. If you
ed; they vowed compassion that often got abused by tales of Maria Makiling. The other stories stopped producing fruits, the animals wander around the province of Laguna,
n though there humans. have to do with romance and heartbreak. stopped showing up, and the fish in the you will notice the form of the moun-
Josephine be- One story said Maria used to live lake began to disappear. tain resembling a reclining woman. It
The hunter is also believed that travelers who want
but had a mis- in a community where she got along The coward
well with the locals. Whenever vil- In one story, Maria fell in love just like to take home fruits from the mountain
cy. Despite all a typical maiden. She bestowed her deep In another story, Maria fell in love with
lagers called her for help, she would get lost in their trip because they are be-
give them a piece of ginger to take devotion to a hunter who roamed the a farmer. She helped him with daily mat- ing tricked by Maria who would change
home. Without the people know- mountains of Laguna. They started out as ters, letting his farm grow richer, for ex- the path that leads instead to beehives
ing, the ginger would turn to gold acquaintances but their feelings for each ample, than the rest of the farms in the or thick thorn bushes. According to
that they could then later sell to help other flourished over time. They soon de- village. But she ended up miserable after the story, when this happens, the trav-
them in their needs. Greed soon cided to meet every day, with a pledge of the farmer chose to marry a village wom- eler must leave the fruit, take off all his
overcame the villagers — they pulled eternal love. But Maria discovered that an so he could be exempted from being clothes, and wear them inside out to
all the ginger plants in her yard as the man she loved had been married to drafted in the army. This wrecked Maria’s show the goddess that he is no longer
they looked for the gold. Devastated, a mortal woman. Despair engulfed her heart. She left and was never seen again. carrying any fruit. (Mari Santilles) L

ved happily as
hrough Rizal’s

code or
zalgirls
on of this story.

LN_v1n3.indd 5 12/02/2019 7:53 AM

 6 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 3

EDITORIAL Santa Rosa’s Arnel Gomez

Poverty is THE RUDE walks the walk
not an excuse TRUTH
Aya Jallorina AFTER his unsuc- barangay chairman. Arnel Gomez served for more than a

for abuse
cessful bid in the 2013 decade as city councilor and as vice mayor.
mayoralty elections, we Everybody in Santa Rosa recognizes Arnel Gomez as
didn’t hear Arnel Gomez gasping and going around town the altar boy from the elite Gomez clan. He was the boy
in a blame game. Despite the betrayal he felt after being who never missed a church service. He took the Don
A HEARTBREAKING reality in a poor country disappointed in the electoral process, he readily accepted Bosco Seminary entrance examination for seminarians
like the Philippines is the willingness of parents to defeat by conceding, called for sobriety and showed grat- when he was in high school, but eventually he had to de-
itude to his supporters. cide whether he could endure the myriad of restrictions
encourage the abuse of their own children, often us- Here, after all, is a man who needs no constant proof imposed on seminarians. He also passed and was a can-
ing poverty as a justification. A case in point is the that even without being in the public eye, he can do didate for the prestigious Philippine Military Academy in
continued practice in Laguna and elsewhere of child something good for other people. Baguio. He eventually attended De La Salle University,
prostitution facilitated by parents — prostitution Just last week, he met with the indigenous peoples of a leading Catholic university renowned for academic ex-
that cater mainly to monied foreigners and tourists. Mindoro — the Katutubong Mangyan — to conduct an cellence and run by De La Salle Brothers. Now, he and
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, this was the shame of Laguna, outreach ministry that includes delivery of basic medi- wife Malou are active lectors/commentators in church.
as we pointed out in a report in last week’s issue. cal services, including gift giving, feeding, mini sports When not busy with his advocacies, Gomez competes
The arrest of a British-Australian and his Filipino fest and the provision of food supplies and wheelchairs. as a triathlete and enjoys running or mountain trekking.
pimp shoved this ugly problem back to the fore. (Similar support is being extended to the Kabihug and His passion for triathlon, a multisport race with three
Dumagat tribes.) The indefatigable advocate is also a continuous and sequential endurance races, brought him
The National Bureau of Investigation in Laguna prime mover of I Love Santa Rosa Foundation Inc., an to several countries all over the world. (London, Paris,
says that there seems to be an uptick in the number advocacy group that conducts regular blood donation Venice, Florence, Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Turkey, Je-
of young boys selling themselves — or being sold — drives. He initiates fundraising for cancer patients and is rusalem, Egypt, New York, California, Japan and other
to western tourists to make a quick buck, particular- a warrior for the environment. several Asian cities). He was asthmatic as a child, he
ly in the town of Pagsanjan and the city of Calamba. Trantados, a group in UPLB so named because its said, and had to learn swimming by himself so he could
Daniel Daganzo, the bureau’s head in the province, members jokingly claim they are 50 percent triathletes strengthen his lungs.
says parents know about what’s happening. and 50 percent alcoholic, got him interested in triathlon. What keeps him going as a triathlete and as a politi-
While we certainly agree that poverty pushes He always supported and joined people who struggle for cian? Gomez said it’s about walking the walk, not just
families to extreme measures to survive, the prosti- wellness not only for themselves but for the environ- talking the talk. “Kailangan ng isang public servant
ment. They are passionate for Mother Nature, joining maging disiplinado, maging tapat. It is not just talk and
tution of children by their own parents seems, well, tree planting activities and coastal rehabilitation. They photos. It is actual work. Kongkretong pagtulong sa tao
extreme. We suspect that it’s not just poverty that is bicycle their way — “kahit sa kasulok-sulokan ng Santa through my advocacies. Kongkretong disiplina sa sarili
at play here, that this has something to do with fa- Rosa at mga lugar ng probinsiya ng Laguna” — to check through my sport,” he said. Gomez believes that, as in
miliarity with an old practice that makes it easy for on water tributaries, including creeks and canals. sports, it is in having to inconvenience one’s self through
parents to rationalize the sordid acts they’re forcing From a formidable political clan of Santa Rosa, the Go- sacrifice, discipline and hard work that a politician can
their children to do. More crucially, this is a failure mezes occupied key positions in the past — truly, a fam- be worthy of people’s trust. “Manifestation ng pagkatao
of accountability — parents are getting away with ily of public servants. His great grandfather Governor mo ang disiplina sa sarili. Morally, spiritually, socially,
abusing their own children while local government Feliciano Gomez was judge, mayor, congressman and environmentally, you should be fit. Only then will people
units, who must know about this, are seemingly governor of Laguna. His grandfather Artemio Sr. served trust you.”
as vice mayor and his father Artemio Jr. was a city coun- In our current political culture, rare is the politician who
helpless or unable to do anything. And long as this cilor. His sister and daughter served as Sangguniang remains true to the real essence of public service. I cer-
is the case, child prostitution and child abuse will Kabataan chairpersons and a brother is an incumbent tainly wish there will be fewer talkers and more doers. L
continue.
This is a challenge to the NBI as well as the LGUs,
particularly in towns and cities where tourism is
popular. If the NBI knows the complicity of par-
ents, they should not stop at just arresting these
foreign pedophiles and their local pimps – they
should go after the parents that allow the prostitu-
tion of their children.
Poverty may explain this unsavory practice but it
does not justify it, let alone make it right. It is, thus,
the duty of law enforcers to hold these parents ac-
countable because, again, the absence of account-
ability drives more abuse. L

www.lagunanow.ph
Editor Reb Abanador Contributing Editor Dana Batnag
Staff Writers Leobel Bernadette C. Colona, Neal Andrei A.
Lalusin Contributing Writers Kimmy Baraoidan, Eve Matta,
Aya Jallorina, Emeterio SD. Perez Contributing Photogra-
phers Raffy Lerma, Chris Quintana, Edmund Bariring Lay-
out and Design Ayishah M. Conde Editorial Interns Maric-
ris R. Santilles, Shane Valerie B. Muallam
Marketing Manager Laarni M. Bautista Marketing Con-
sultant Marianne Gladys M. Claron Administrative Officer
Rosiedin G. Lanao Operations Liaison Yasir S. Muallam
Legal Counsel Atty. Dana Batnag
Laguna Now is published every Thursday by Conde Media
Publishing Services, a duly registered company in Santa
Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines. Editorial and business of-
fices at 140 BelAir Drive, Laguna BelAir 1, Barangay Don
Jose, Santa Rosa City, Laguna, the Philippines. Email la-
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 February 14 - 20, 2019 LagunaNow 7

Meet Laguna’s new breed of

#BEINSPIRED

entrepreneurs These Lagunenses beat the odds in business and serve as an inspiration to others.
Text and photos by LEOBEL COLONA and MARI SANTILLES

ELEMENG SIP & DIP

A heavily tattooed musician who only These Laguna boys
dreamed of playing in his own band turns turned their college
his love for alamang (shrimp paste) and thesis into the next big
his amusement with Filipino coño speak thing in to-go snacks.
into a thriving business. It all started with a
It all began a year ago, on December thesis project by two
6, 2017, when Binan resident Edwin Pal- childhood friends who
estroque brought home green mangoes were just trying to finish
that he had bought in the local market. their business degree in
He cooked the shrimp paste to go with the De La Salle Canlubang.
fruit — salty, sweet, pungent. When his “We designed the thesis
aunt tried it, she was pleasantly surprised just so we have something to pass to our professor,” said Garwyn Galza, one of the two
by its distinctive flavor. Why don’t you founders of Sip & Dip, a favorite snack joint on the cinema level of Solenad, in Nuvali,
make more of this and turn it into a busi- Santa Rosa City. With a capital of Php 10,000, Galza and his friend, Jasper Santos, ex-
ness, she told Edwin. Encouraged by his perimented with the business on campus in 2015 but soon saw its potential when that
family and friends, Edwin did just that. capital doubled in no time. The boys, who were both 23 at the time, knew they were on
Read Edwin’s full story here: lag.ph/elemeng Photo by Dek Fernandez to something.
Read Sip & Dip’s full story here: lag.ph/sipdip Photo courtesy of Sip & Dip

PAN-ONYMOUS
This bakeshop in Santa Rosa City that GITNA ART STUDIO
specializes in ‘Asian bread’ and pastries Mitzi Villanueva and Matt
doesn’t try to call attention to itself. But Pahutan put up Gitna Art
there are signs it is destined for fame and Studio after a rough patch.
greater things. Their love story is vital to
the development of the stu-
Each time Yumiko Cruz went on ma- dio.
ternity leave, she ate bread and pastries.
Lots of it. While serving barley tea to her Art is a way of life in the
visitors in her home in Santa Rosa City, municipality of Paete, so
she reminisces about the bread and pas- much so that it has gained
tries from the different bakeshops in her the moniker “bayang masin-
neighborhood in Tochigi, a prefecture not ing” (artful town). Paete is
far from Tokyo where her family hails. known for its woodwork and handicrafts that are all handmade, a tradition that has
On her third pregnancy and while on her been the town’s primary source of income for 400 years. Situated at Plaza Edeza, Gitna
third maternity leave here in the Philip- Art Studio is a head turner with its minimalist black façade. This café is the brainchild
pines, Yumiko was confronted with a of Mitzi Villanueva and Matt Pahutan. They both want the café not just to showcase
problem: She missed her Tochigi bread. artworks but to promote and revitalize the local art scene as well.
Read Yumiko’s full story here: lag.ph/pan The solution? She started baking her own. Read Mitzi and Matt’s full story here: lag.ph/gitna Photo courtesy of Gitna Art Studio

THE BARKER SHOP

A unique pet salon in Greenfield City un-
MITA’S KITCHEN
derstands and appreciates the bond be- A restaurant inside the Car-
tween cats and dogs and their humans. melray industrial complex
offers Filipino food that are
For 26 years, Dodie Santos worked at based on recipes from long
a company that provided commissary ago but with modern twists
services to Jollibee, probably the best that locals and foreigners
place on Earth if you’re in the business have grown to like.
of making Filipino children happy. Upon
his retirement in 2011, Dodie, now 65, Heirloom recipes, in the
found himself spending more time with age of the fast food, have a
his dogs and, mainly because of that, he’s particular appeal. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s also because these recipes have evidently
now in the business of making pets and survived the test — and, if we may say so, taste — of time, hence their popularity. Mita’s
their owners happy. Originally a Manile- Kitchen, a newly opened restaurant in the industrial area of Carmelray, Canlubang,
no, Dodie and his family moved to Laguna in 2006 and immediately fell in love with banks on the recipes that its owners have inherited from their grandmother. “We pic-
the place. An active dog breeder, Dodie focused his attention on his dogs upon his re- tured our restaurant to be really an extension of our home,” says Christian Martinez,
tirement. Read Dodie’s full story here: lag.ph/barker who owns and runs Mita’s Kitchen with his wife Theresa.
Read Christian and Theresa’s full story here: lag.ph/mitaskitchen
ARTISTHREE SALON
The three beauty artists behind this San- 18 DAYS COFFEE ROASTERS
ta Rosa salon are bound by friendship, There is a lot about coffee than what mainstream
motivated by professionalism, and in- coffee shops offer, says Jem Catabijan of Nuvali’s 18
spired by their happy clients. Days Coffee Roasters.
ArtisThree Salon, on the third floor of He might be young and only starting but 20-year-old
Arcadia mall in Santa Rosa City, is the Jeremy Catabijan is passionate about coffee. Although
product of the professional collaboration he began his barista career in the summer of 2018,
between three of the most sought-after Jem’s interest in coffee started ever since his dad,
beauty professionals this side of Laguna. Jerry, acquired a license for 18 Days Coffee Roasters
Rona Casalme (RD), 33, Felicity Aurora Legarde (Faye), 34, and Geneline Viernes and established the first artisan coffee shop in Solenad
(Gena), 34, are the artists whose hair styling, make-up and nail polishing skills are driv- 3 in August 2016. For Jem, coffee is not just about a
ing the success of ArtisThree, which began operations a year ago and has been known not steaming black liquid in a cup. It’s also not only about
only for its quality and friendly service but also for the inspiring story of the three women the roasting process — it’s also about the farmers and
behind it. the community that is created around coffee growing.
Read ArtisThree’s full story here: lag.ph/artis3 Read Jem’s full story here: lag.ph/18days L

LN_v1n3.indd 7 12/02/2019 7:54 AM

 8 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 3

Alden Richards
CONCLUSION

plans ahead, finds time alone

cha’s customer when the chance to co-own it came up. me, though,” he quips. “When I open a book, I read very
Once he went down that road, he stopped being a fast, before I get distracted. I probably have ADHD, too.”)
critic and became a jolly boss.  His two worlds collided He’s currently trying to be around “normal” people,”
in the best ways. “As an actor, I learned long ago that I he says. “I find it relaxes me, and I get to be my real self,
should  focus on my part and trust that the people around Richard Faulkerson Jr.”
me are good at theirs. I use that mindset in my involve- He has thought of learning to play the piano, which
ment with Concha’s. I don’t meddle in the kitchen or any his dad is “really good at,” and maybe follow up on a fan
other aspect of operations. It cramps people’s styles, up- book that he wrote two years ago, with a daily journal of
sets the overall rhythm. As an industrial partner, I just gratitude.  “I find something to be thankful for every day.
come in for the big decisions.” It’s good to remember.”
His people skills improved vastly. There are life-size He likes to travel with family, but makes it a point to
standees of himself in the restaurants but in the first few spend some time alone during those trips, “to be quiet.”
months, he regularly turned up in person to chat up  the He is, therefore, not attracted to big cities and the usual
customers. “I would ask about their experience with the destinations; nature trek-
food, service, ambience. It was something I brought back king is his thing.  
to my job as actor, singer and TV host. Audiences, like Presented with a list of
the diners, should have good experiences to remember virtues as a 30-second quiz,
you by.” he is drawn to the words
Alden is having such great times from both ends that, “serenity” and “introspec-
30 years from now, he figures, “I would still be in a busi- tion.” He mumbles, “Getting
ness of some sort, but also still in entertainment—the there.” And if “contentment”
first for sustenance, the latter for the fulfillment of mak- were a test, he is sure he has
Photo courtesy of GMA Corporate Affairs and Communications
ing people happy.” passed it. “Every day since
this happened, I have been To read the full story,
By EMMIE G. VELARDE, Lifestyle Laguna Current Efforts and Time Alone content. I know how dis- go to lag.ph/alden,

P
He has become a more conscientious student of life, content starts and I am very or scan the code.
lanning ahead as usual, Alden went into business but also one who now takes every chance “to reflect on mindful of that: It is when
two years ago, buying into Concha’s Garden Café. things.” He is a regular churchgoer, reads the Bible daily, what  you have is never enough, and you want more and
He sees it as a “safety net.”  Although so far the reads “a lot of other stuff” when times permits. more. That way, whatever it is, will run away from you.”
career in show business is still “my goose that lays the (He started and finished an Eric Morris book about And then, without warning, he breaks that sudden
golden eggs,” he is determined to never again stand on acting on a flight to New York. “That’s another thing with somber note: “Right now, all I want is a massage. ” L
fickle footing, money-wise, given his to-do lists.
Since he partnered with Gemma Sembrano, the res-
taurant has spawned two branches, and they’re now into
franchising. If this wonderful new high should crash
sooner than expected, he says, at least he would have
learned a lot, not the least about himself. For instance,
he now knows for sure that, while he is decidedly practi-
cal and logical, he has intuitive capabilities as well.
“You could say Concha’s is something I jumped into,”
he relates. “I consulted my usual advisers, but I did not
overthink, like I often do. I learned from my Lola Linda
that something inside would present obstacles if you’re
headed the wrong way. There was no such thing in this
case, so I trusted my gut, which has remained reliable to
this day.”
From his mother, a Pampangueña, he inherited a
sharp palate. He cooks occasionally, but is mostly a con-
sumer/critic. “I can tell if something is off, or even just
slightly different from the way I remember a dish. [He
is a desserts person, incidentally.] That is an attribute of
OCB,” he adds, laughing. He was a very satisfied Con-

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